Ben Goessling

Ben Goessling covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune. He has covered the team since 2012, and has previously covered the Twins, Wild, Washington Nationals and prep sports.

After graduating from Apple Valley High School, Goessling majored in accounting and journalism at the University of Minnesota. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two daughters. He coaches high school track and field and cross country, plays electric guitar and enjoys volunteering at Hope Academy in the Phillips neighborhood.

Center Garrett Bradbury said the Vikings' virtual meetings have included efforts to give players a degree of ownership over the things they would normally be executing on the field during the offseason.

In their 60th season, the Vikings will open at home against Green Bay for the first time and spend Christmas Day in New Orleans. But will games really be played starting Sept. 10? The coronavirus will have final say on that.

A group of 15 draftees, as well as 12 undrafted free agents will begin their education online. General Manager Rick Spielman said Tuesday the team's virtual offseason program has "been working outstanding."

It could be months, not weeks, before the Vikings can see what they can get from a rookie class that emerged from the NFL's first virtual draft and will enter the league through a "virtual offseason" program.

Michael Pierce, who started 14 games for Baltimore last season, is expected to replace departing Linval Joseph. Other moves included releasing offensive guard Josh Kline, the team's top free agent acquisition of 2019.

After an afternoon on social media indicating that something may be in the works, wide receiver Stefon Diggs will be headed to Buffalo in exchange for four draft picks, including the Bills' first-rounder.

GM Rick Spielman said in a statement the Vikings would "remain in communication" with both players as they head into free agency but made the moves in an effort to give them more time to explore options.

Stefon Diggs caused a stir on social media recently when he removed all pictures of himself in a Vikings uniform from his Instagram account, following a season where he incurred more than $200,000 in fines.

The Vikings forced seven turnovers in a game for the first time in almost a quarter-century and could have a playoff berth locked up even before playing the Packers next Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Led by first-round pick Garrett Bradbury — who has a chance to become the first Vikings rookie since 2012 to play every snap of the season — the Vikings' 2019 rookies have stepped into significant roles.

Seattle scored 24 unanswered points in the second half, using a strong running game and a long touchdown pass that led to a shouting match between Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and cornerback Xavier Rhodes.